A mum substituted for her daughter with a critically endangered breed to win at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Nine-year-old Braithwaite Countryman (Disco) was ridden by Denise Morton to land the 2026 Windsor ridden Cleveland Bay class.

Denise’s daughter and joint-owner of the gelding, Kimberly Morton, usually takes the reins, but was unable to make it to Windsor owing to work commitments.

“I was the substitute,” said Denise. “It’s her that usually does the riding. I was just hoping to get the right legs. I’ve probably ridden about 10 times this year, and that was trying to practise on him to get here. He’s down to all her hard work that she’s put into him. I’m really pleased.”

Disco, by Oaten Tops’l, was bought from the Braithwaite stud by the Mortons as a six-year-old, with hopes of competing in the hunter classes.

“He just got a little bit bigger than we expected,” Denise said. “He’s been very slow maturing. We’ve just let him grow up.

“It’s only last year he really started to click into everything. So we’re really pleased with him.”

The 2026 Windsor ridden Cleveland Bay part-bred class was won by Bronte Thompson and her successful home-produced 10-year-old hunter Aredis Little Ben, by Aredis Big Ben.

In the pure-bred in-hand ranks, Tina Billingsley’s Knocksaul Dream Maker – a four-year-old by Wyevale Boomerang – topped the class for horses over four years old, and Kelly Phillips showed Carol Lines’ three-year-old Inveravon Galadriel to top the youngstock class.

The Cleveland Bay

Cleveland Bays have long been a favourite of the royal family, and were traditionally loved as an all-round horse that could hunt, jump and pull. The King is still breeding Cleveland Bays, and one of his horses, Wyevale Harry, won at Windsor last year.

The breed is still considered critically endangered, but a breeding programme was able to stop the versatile horse from going extinct.

Cleveland Bay Horse Society representatives Pippa Morgan of the Thomsonbrook stud and Cecilia Lindsay of the Denson stud were at Royal Windsor to award prizes. Both of them inherited a love of the breed from their mothers.

Cecilia said: “In my opinion, it’s a horse that is built for anything.

“In days gone by, they were used to plough fields, but you could also hitch a governess cart up to them and take your children to school, you could hunt them on Saturday, and then Sunday, take the whole family to church with your Cleveland.”

She says having classes at Windsor is vitally important for the breed, adding: “We need to raise the profile of the breed. We’re on the critical list.”

Pippa added: “The number of foals has fallen this year. I’ve got some part-breds, and they’ve got steady minds, so they’re reliable in a crisis, and I really like that.

“And you need good purebreds to breed good part-breds, right?”

Cecilia said: “We’re both very proud to be part of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society and carry on from our mothers.”

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The Hackney horse and pony has suffered a further decline, the latest Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) figures show, but there are signs of hope elsewhere.

The numbers of Hackneys were already “very low”, and the breed was already in the “priority” category but the 2026 RBST watch list, published this month, shows that its situation is now classed as critical.

Figures show that the number of dams producing registered offspring dropped from 34 in 2024 to 20, a 41% reduction. The breed’s effective population size, a measure of genetic diversity rather than the number of horses, has dropped from 52 to 27, well below the United Nations’ breed level of concern, 50.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: “The Hackney horse and pony has been operating at low numbers for some years, and further sharp declines in 2025 have put the breed in a critical situation.

“This characteristically tough and hardy breed has so much to offer – as well as its fantastic history, the Hackneys’ agility and flair make them great horses for showing, jumping and dressage as well as under harness. Halting this decline is an urgent priority for RBST and we will be working with RBST members and the breed society to intensify our conservation programmes for the breed.”

Unique chapter

Hackney Horse Society council member Sarah Hockings said the breed “represents a unique chapter of British history”, but also an opportunity for modern riders, owing to their temperament and versatility.

Her fellow council member Fred Vyse added: “Whether in the show ring or as a spirited companion, the Hackney remains a breed of unparalleled quality.

“We are proud to be working in close collaboration with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to secure this future. By combining the society’s deep-rooted expertise with the RBST’s conservation work, we are taking proactive steps to turn the tide on declining numbers.

“Our joint efforts are focused on ensuring that the ‘celebrated Hackney’ is not just a memory of the past, but a thriving, vital part of the UK’s equine community for years to come.”

The 2026 RBST watch list, the charity’s annual report, shows that six native UK equine breeds are in the most urgent, priority, category, and six more are classed as at risk.

Cleveland Bays

This year’s report also highlights concerns for the Cleveland Bay. Despite major efforts made in recent years, the number of breeders registering foals and the number of dams producing registered offspring are the lowest recorded since data collecting started in 2002. In one year, the number of dams has dropped by 42.8%.

Cleveland Bay Horse Society chairman Matthew Stonehouse told H&H that after the Covid period there was a “welcome increase in breeding activity; a sign that interest in the Cleveland Bay remained strong”.

“That momentum has since eased, and we attribute this to a combination of factors,” he said.

“Challenging economic conditions for breeders, the wider cost-of-living squeeze on equestrian pursuits and what several of our members have noted was an unusually difficult breeding year in 2024 due to adverse weather. Cycling difficulties that year are thought to have suppressed foal numbers, not only in Cleveland Bays but across several breeds.”

Mr Stonehouse added that international registrations, which have “played a meaningful role in our numbers”, have also reduced in recent years, which the society is actively monitoring.

“The Cleveland Bay is Britain’s oldest established native horse breed, and its future is something we care about deeply,” he said. “We are moving forward with promotion of the breed; particularly to amateur riders and a younger audience who may not yet appreciate just how versatile and characterful these horses are.

“We believe the 2026 figures will provide a clearer picture, and we remain cautiously optimistic.”

Signs of hope in 2026 RBST watch list

The Suffolk horse’s effective population size increased in 2025 for the third consecutive year, and the number of dams producing registered offspring was the highest since 2010.

The Dales showed effective population size growth and the Eriskay pony was stable. There was an increase in new Exmoor breeder registrations.

Mr Price said 13 UK native equine breeds are classed as rare on the 2026 RBST watch list.

“These breeds are an irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage, and they also have important modern roles to play in riding and recreation, conservation grazing for nature restoration and genetic diversity,” he said.

“Owners of native breed horses and ponies around the UK can work with RBST and breed societies to register their animals, to showcase their versatility and take part in crucial breeding programmes. Please do contact RBST to find out more about how you can support a strong future for our rare native equines.”

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The King’s Cleveland Bays emerged victorious in the ridden pure- and part-bred classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show, while a three-year-old gelding won the prestigious Cholderton Cup for the best overall in-hand.

Isabel Oakley, a liveried helper at the Royal Mews, rode The King’s 13-year-old Wyevale Harry to win the pure-bred ridden Cleveland Bay class on her debut. Isabel, whose job involves the daily exercise and care of the state carriage horses, looks after Harry.

“When I was asked if I wanted to take Harry to Royal Windsor, I wanted to make this year a successful one for him,” said Isabel. “I have been working hard creating a bond with him during the last three months and have loved every minute of every schooling session and show preparation with him

“It’s taken a lot of preparation due to him being a carriage horse at the Royal Mews and having to be so versatile in his job as both a ridden and driven horse. Harry takes part in numerous state occasions throughout the year including state visits, credentials and also Royal Ascot.”

Harry will now have a short rest before being prepared for his duties at Royal Ascot in June.

“Winning at Royal Windsor has been a very proud moment in my equestrian career and a memory that I will treasure forever,” said Isabel, whose colleague Bethany Atwell partnered The King’s St Ives to win the part-bred ridden Cleveland Bay class.

Three-year-old wins the coveted Cholderton Cup at Royal Windsor

Emily Fisher made the long trip from Devon worthwhile with her three-year-old gelding Bahain Terminator (Arnie) to not only win the youngstock class from a exceptional class of six, but also take home the coveted Cholderton Cup for the overall best pure-bred Cleveland Bay in-hand, fending off competition from Daniel Cracknell’s Willowhall Jim, who won the four-years-and-over class.

“Arnie’s results left me speechless; he walked into that ring and strutted his stuff,” said Emily, who added: “The standard this year was incredible with nine incredible Cleveland Bays being presented [for the in-hand].”

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The owner of the much-loved Cholderton Ida has paid tribute to the successful rare-breed mare who has died aged 18.

During her career, Jo Strange’s mare was twice crowned Cleveland Bay breed champion and also took the Cleveland Bay champion title at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

In recent months, she won the purebred ridden Cleveland Bay class and was reserve ridden Cleveland Bay at the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain National Hunter Championship Show in August.

“She was not a world beater, but everybody loved Ida,” Jo told H&H.

Ida was bred by Henry Edmunds at Cholderton Stud, near Andover. She had a quiet start to life and had her own foal before joining Jo as a nine-year-old.

“I was looking for a cob at the time, but thought ‘I’ll go and have a look’,” she said.

Ida quickly took to her new career, with success at major fixtures and breed shows, under side-saddle, and blossomed into the “ultimate all-rounder”.

“She had lovely manners and galloped like stink, which immediately took people by surprise,” said Jo.

She hunted with the South Downs Bloodhounds and the Staff College Drag. Jo had also been in discussions with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) with a view to Ida becoming an RDA horse after her planned retirement from showing this year, such was her exceptional nature.

Jo added that one of her “proudest moments” was Ida giving a friend in her 80s the opportunity to carry on riding and to compete at the 2018 National Side-Saddle Show, where she won the restricted turn-out class.

“She was the ultimate amateur’s horse,” said Jo. “She was everybody’s friend. She was the nicest horse. Even my elderly friends, they would all come for a ride with me if Ida was available.”

She recalled how Ida was the “alpha mare in the herd in a quiet, understated kind of way”, keeping a close eye on youngsters, and is even credited with helping teach a friend’s horse to travel confidently.

“If she can get some other people interested in the breed, she will have left her mark, and that’s what she deserves,” said Jo.

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A horse and rider will celebrate a special centenary at the Royal Norfolk Show, as the former is 30 and the latter will turn 70 on the day of their class.

Jan Wright and Samurai Warrior, or Sam to his friends, the offspring of a Cleveland Bay stallion and an Arab mare, will be contesting in-hand and ridden Veteran Horse Society qualifiers on 28 June, Jan’s 70th birthday.

Jan and “Sam” have been together for 23 years, during which time Sam has only needed a vet three times.

“He’s the biggest character I’ve ever known,” Jan told H&H. “He’s awesome.”

Jan had Sam on loan at first – and only because his owner “stalked” her.

“I was looking for something about 14.2hh to 15hh, about 10, a been there, done that type,” she said. “I finished up with a seven-year-old, just-backed former vaulting horse who was 16.2hh.

“I was looking for a loan horse as I couldn’t afford to buy; I was 47 and had wanted a horse for 40 years. I said to my husband ‘I’ve got to do it. I know we can’t really afford it but I have to otherwise I’ll be too old. And here I am at 70, still doing it!”

Jan said a fellow member of the British Horse Society Norfolk committee was looking for a home for Sam, but Jan told her he was not her type.

“So she stalked me for six months!” she said. “She kept ringing and sending pictures, and in the end, I said I’d just go to see him and say no. I put his headcollar on and took the rope, he sniffed my hair and chewed my ear and I said ‘Oh, he’s lovely’. Sucker! But it turned out she was right.”

Jan and the “opinionated” Sam had to overcome some challenges, including his preference to school in reverse and hers for forward movement, but they went on to do a bit of everything, including Trec, dressage, jumping and western riding.

“He was a former vaulting horse so when I got him, he could go in circles and that was about it,” Jan said. “We had lessons, and I discovered you can’t push a Cleveland Bay, but if you ask them, they’ll do anything for you. He’s like a big dog now; he follows me around.

“We’ve had a bash at everything, including dressage, but he’s renowned for farting. We’d enter at A, farting loudly at every single step. I remember thinking ‘Pretend it’s not happening, don’t catch the judge’s eye’, but then did and saw she was crying. Then I lost it too and got the giggles. Once, he was in the indoor with a young horse and let rip; the young horse freaked out and shot across the arena.”

Jan will take precautions at the Royal Norfolk; she had a knee replacement 10 months ago so her running is not entirely what it was.

“I’ll have to ask someone to run him round the collecting ring until he farts at least four times, then hopefully he won’t do it in the ring!” she said, adding: “It’ll be our centenary. We’ve done that show a few times and qualified for the national championships. I’m hoping we’ll be able to do that this year as I’m almost of the opinion that next year he’ll go into semi-retirement.”

Jan stopped jumping Sam a couple of years ago owing to his age but she said he still has all his teeth, and looks and feels very well.

“He had a sports massage the other day and the lady said she’s got 10-year-olds with more issues than he has,” she said. “He doesn’t believe he’s 30; he thinks he’s still seven or eight so I have to do the thinking and watch out for him but I realise how lucky I am.”

Jan said when Sam does semi-retire, he can become a “happy hacker, as he’s brilliant at that”.

“He’s the only horse I’ve had and he’ll be the last,” she said. “I think I’ll hang up my boots when I lose him; I wouldn’t get another one as I couldn’t replace him. He’s awesome.

“My family keeps saying ‘Isn’t it time you retired’ but I’m still working as I couldn’t afford to keep a horse on my pension; if I retired, I’d have to put him out to grass and he wouldn’t like that, so I keep working.

“He’s a wonderful horse; we were totally unsuited but we grew together and became good friends.”

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The Cleveland Bay horse is said to be England’s oldest horse breed, which has adapted through the ages to become the versatile breed we know today. Whether the fashion of the day was ploughing fields on the farm, pulling coaches of the nobility or the family cart, to being successful in the current sporting disciplines, the Cleveland Bay has retained its traditional quality while transforming to fit the requirements of each era.

In this article: History | Royal connection | Conformation | Temperament

History

Although the official history of the Cleveland Bay dates from 1884, when the Cleveland Bay Horse Society was founded, the breed’s roots go back centuries.

The breed’s name comes from where the horse is believed to have originated, the Cleveland Hills in Yorkshire, in the north-east of England – combined with the horse’s colour.

Back in mediaeval times in Yorkshire, there were clean-legged bays used for both riding and as pack horses. As they transported goods of the travelling salesmen, who were known in those times as “chapmen”, these horses were initially called Chapman horses. Their role developed over the years to become the horse of choice for pulling coaches when these became mainstream, thanks to their strength, endurance and quality. This was a tough and versatile horse, as adept at working in the fields as pulling a carriage.

As the standard in roads developed, a faster horse was required and so hot-blooded stallions descended from the early thoroughbreds, Barbs and Arabs were used on Cleveland mares, which added fineness and speed to this traditional breed. In turn, warmbloods such as the Oldenburg have used Cleveland Bay stallions to improve their bloodlines. Nowadays they are often crossed with thoroughbred bloodlines to produce sport horses.

Naturally, as the era of the coach horse dwindled and railways developed in the 19th century, the Cleveland Bay became more and more redundant. The Cleveland Bay Horse Society was formed in 1884 to preserve and promote the breed which has throughout the past 150 years been to various degrees at risk of extinction.

A helping royal hand

While the 1880s signalled trouble for the future of the Cleveland Bay in the UK, the breed was establishing itself in the US, which imported thousands of these horses. Across the pond, coaching was becoming increasingly popular as a pastime, and this outstanding coach horse was in hot demand. However, its popularity was short-lived and began to decline. To make matters worse, back in Europe thousands were being killed in the world wars on the battlefields, where they were a great asset pulling the artillery.

At the end of World War II, there were only a handful of stallions in England, and few mares. Soon after this, in the early 60s, The Queen stepped in. Her grandfather George V had been a Cleveland Bay breeder and when one of the rare Cleveland Bay colts, a horse named Mulgrave Supreme, was set to be exported, The Queen bought him. Mulgrave Supreme was made available at public stud, and this marked a resurgence in Cleveland Bay breeding, with his progeny proving competitive across the disciplines.

The Queen continues to work to promote the breed, and uses them in her own carriage-breeding programme. She is also patron of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.

The popularity of the breed has continued to ebb and flow with numbers of breeding stallions dropping to critical levels at various points in its history. However, thanks to the efforts of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society and its breeding programmes, the Cleveland Bay has survived. Yet it is still at risk – along with 11 other of Britain’s 14 native breeds.

Nowadays, this British breed is popular all over the world, especially in Australian and the US. In Pakistan, Cleveland Bays are the only breed of horse used to pull state carriages and are also used in government work.

Conformation of the Cleveland Bay

This is a medium-sized semi-draft horse, similar in build to a warmblood, with clean legs and no feather. They look like a quality, substantial hunter showing dignity and strength.

Height: 16hh–16.2hh

Colour: they are traditionally bay with black points, and the only white marking permitted is a small white star. However, since 2005 horses outside this breed standard can still be registered to protect their genetic value to the breed, but this will be noted in their passport/studbook. Legs that are not black to the knee and hocks are regarded as a colour fault

Body: wide and deep, with a compact and strong back. Sloping, muscular shoulders; level and powerful quarters

Head: bold and of a decent size rather than fine; carried on a long, lean neck, with large, fine ears

Limbs: nine inches-plus bone below the knee. Legs should be clear of superfluous hair and clean and hard. Muscular upper legs, with large knees and hocks

Feet: a significant feature of the breeds, should be excellent quality and blue in colour – never shallow or narrow

Action: free, good-moving horse with sufficient shoulder and knee/hock flexion. High action is not characteristic – they should cover the ground

Temperament

The Cleveland Bay is typically a docile, sensible character with a placid temperament. They tend to be well-disciplined, mannerly and easy to train – but as all horse owners know, every horse is an individual and how they turn out is down to many influences, from breeding to training, genetics and character.

Its hallmark is its versatility – it can turn its hoof to all disciplines, as it has shown through its need to adapt through the ages to the changing face of civilisation.

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Rare breeds of the “highest concern” will be recognised at a show with new championship classes aimed at promoting the breeds’ high standards.

For the first time the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July) will host Rare Breed Survival Trust watchlist classes, with the highest-placed horses and ponies going on to compete in the RBST championship for priority and at-risk breeds. The classes follow the release of the 2021/2022 RBST watchlist published last month with updated categories; priority, at risk, UK native breeds and Irish breeds in the UK. Previously the categories were critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority.

Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Eriskays, Exmoors, Hackneys and Suffolk horses appear in the priority category. Clydesdale horses, Fell and Highland ponies, New Forests, and Shires have been classed as at risk.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price told H&H the watchlist classes will give dedicated owners and breeders of rare native horses and ponies the chance to demonstrate their “amazingly high standards”, and show the great potential of the breeds.

“We hope this will also encourage more people to get involved in the work to ensure rare native equine breeds such as Eriskays and Suffolks can thrive long into the future,” he said.

RBST chairman Gale Sprake added that with competitions so severely limited over the last 18 months, the trust is delighted to provide this “fantastic opportunity” to celebrate rare breeds, as well as the people, organisations and communities that support their survival.

“Each of our native pony and horse breeds has its own characteristics, unique features and history and each has played an extraordinary role in our nation’s history,” she said.

“The new RBST priority and at-risk classes at the Norfolk Equestrian Show will really show why they are special.”

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive Mark Nicholas said the organisation is “thrilled” to be welcoming competitors.

Continued below…

Seven equine breeds classed as ‘highest concern’ in Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist

The 2021/22 watchlist, published this week (8 April), has been updated with new categories: priority, at risk, UK native breeds

Your breed needs you: push to save our rare horses *H&H Plus*

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“We are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with RBST and helping them to promote the importance of breed diversity and survival,” he said.

The show’s organisers hope that holding the “streamlined” show behind closed doors in 2021 will support the planned return of a full Royal Norfolk Show in June 2022. The schedule includes in-hand and ridden classes and retains Horse of the Year Show qualifiers from the cancelled Royal Norfolk Show. Entries close on 30 June.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Societies and enthusiasts are asking “what’s in your paddock” in the hope of finding more breeding-age members of our rarest equine species. H&H finds out more

OWNERS of pure-bred rare-breed horses are urged to consider breeding from them this year as the fight to save our equine heritage goes on.

Five British horse breeds are listed as critical by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which means there are fewer than 300 registered breeding females: Cleveland Bays, Suffolks, Hackneys, Eriskays and Dales.

Bruce Langley-McKim of Thorpeley Stud, which stands rare-breed stallions, is pushing the catchphrase “Your breed needs you”.

“I’m asking, ‘What’s in your paddock?’” he told H&H. “These breeds are getting rarer and they’re part of our heritage; it’s not right they should die off because we’ve made them redundant and then don’t act to save them.”

Mr Langley-McKim added that if horses change hands, or die, and passports are not updated, they can drop out of the system, so breed societies do not know the full picture.

He also wants to promote the range of jobs the rare-breed horses can excel in. He hunts and has evented his Suffolk stallion Craikhow Hall Jensen to show he can do it, which he thinks is crucial as without a market, especially for the heavier horses, there may be less reason to breed them.

“Otherwise, in 20 years, they’ll be gone,” he said. “We’ve got the tech and the science to keep these breeds going; it can be done, we’ve just got to have people coming forward with horses.”

Cleveland Bay Horse Society council deputy chair Jackie Sparrow told H&H she agrees with the push to breed.

“We’re struggling a bit because people have mares but aren’t breeding them,” she said. “Because they’re critically endangered, we need pure-bred mares to go to pure-bred stallions, and a lot of people may not realise the genetic value of their horses.”

Ms Sparrow said the society found in a survey that there are only 84 mares in the breeding programme in this country, and a total of about 300 worldwide.

“It’s that bad,” she said. “We really need people who have pure-bred mares to think about letting them have a pure-bred foal, naturally or by freezing of embryos or embryo transfer.. The breed is so versatile; they jump, event, do really good dressage and do a lot of endurance in the US.

“We need to know where the mares are. Anyone with one, please contact the society so we can make sure they’re at least in the genetic database.”

Ms Sparrow also urged owners of colts to get in touch, as semen can be preserved from testes after gelding. Tissue banking to harvest DNA from deceased horses for possible future cloning has also recently started.

Suffolk Horse Society chairman Mark Donsworth said the society has just completed a census, in a drive to find out exact numbers, and there are fewer than 70 breeding-age mares left.

“Last year, we bred 32 foals; that’s how critical things are,” he told H&H.

He added that for anyone wary or nervous of breeding, the society has advisers and experts to help at every stage of the process, as well as grants towards breeding, and webinars that will be uploaded to the society’s website early next year.

“We spent £30,000 helping breeders this year; and for anyone with doubts, we’ve got people delighted to help,” he said.

“I can’t tell you how important this is. Suffolks are rarer than giant pandas; there was a suggestion the breed might die out in 10 years if something wasn’t done.

“We’re doing our best and are looking at opportunities like sexed semen to breed fillies, and all sorts of scientific advances, but fundamentally, we need owners and breeders to help us.

“If there’s a mare out there and we can help, it’s crucial.”

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Despite five of the 12 equine breeds on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust 2020/21 watchlist being described as ‘critical’, H&H finds some positive news from those working for the breeds’ futures...

The latest figures on endangered equines “shine a light” on the efforts of those working to save at-risk breeds.

There are 12 equine breeds on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) 2020/21 watchlist, with five of those in the “critical” category, meaning there are fewer than 300 breeding females.

There is some good news among some of the more worrying figures, with several of the most endangered breeds showing positive signs of stabilising and, in some cases, increasing their numbers.

“This year’s watchlist shines a light on the great efforts of rare-equine breeders working alongside RBST,” chief executive of the RBST Christopher Price told H&H.

“It is great to see that, three years into our heavy horse campaign, their numbers are stable with some breeds such as the Suffolk showing an increase.”

He added there is also positive news for the Cleveland Bay, which has an estimated 98 breeding females registered in total.

“In 2019, 18 [new] females were registered, whereas in 2016 just five were registered,” Mr Price said.

“This is a really important improvement but the breed remains in a critical position and so our efforts to safeguard their future continue, in close collaboration with the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.

“These increases are heartening, but they are in the context of generally declining numbers of rare-breed ponies and horses over the past decade.”

In 2011, H&H reported the number of hackney breeding mares had dropped from 500 to around 300, which has more than halved again during the past nine years.

“The five breeds in our critical category have very low numbers, with hackney horse numbers declining further to an estimated breeding number of 129 and the Eriskay breed only registering four female foals in 2019,” he added. “The two endangered breeds – Exmoor ponies and Dartmoor ponies – have both decreased in number.”

He added the RBST has vital conservation programmes under way to save breeds most at risk and thanked all those who support this “crucial work”.

Barbara Stockton, of the Hackney Horse Society, has been exhibiting and breeding hackneys since the 1970s, judging for the past 30 years, and spent five years as the society’s chairman.

“Obviously the decline is incredibly sad,” she told H&H. “The picture we see as a breed society is possibly slightly different to the RBST – we are actually seeing [overall] registrations increasing slowly, but surely.”

She added there was one very low year in the past five years with about 25 new registrations, but the 2019 totals are around 62.

Gene pool mapping work is being done by the RBST and Mrs Stockton added one of the pluses of the breed is owners tend to keep the stallions entire, unless there is a reason for them to be cut.

“I have been a fan of the horses for so many years and I cannot understand why a horse with so many great attributes isn’t taken on by more people,” she said. “They are incredibly athletic, their stamina is amazing and are a naturally elegant, beautiful breed.”

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One of the most prolific pure-bred Cleveland Bay mares of all time has won this year’s Horse & Hound outstanding mare award.

Stainmore Scotch Rose was revealed as the 2020 winner at the annual British Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony, organised by the British Horse Foundation on 11 March.

The 26-year-old mare was bred in Cumbria by Barbara Martindale and Barbara’s late husband Derek, and is by Mulgrave Royal and out of the stud’s foundation mare Osberton Rachel (by Littlebeck Masterpiece).

Stainmore Scotch Rose went on to produce 17 pure-bred Cleveland Bay foals, as well as one part-bred, and has made a significant impact on the future of the breed both in the UK and abroad.

“Stainmore Scotch Rose has had a huge impact on the Cleveland Bay breed — to have produced 17 pure-bred foals is outstanding, and some of these in turn have produced offspring that have gone into sport,” said Andy Dell, who is on the breed committee of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.

Among Stainmore Scotch Rose’s offspring are the stallions Stainmore Wolfhound, who is standing at stud in the USA, Stainmore Scotch On The Rocks, standing in south Wales, and Lindon Principal, who himself has sired 17 pure-breds and 12 part-breds.

The mare is currently out on breeding loan to the Welford family. Her most recent progeny, Mulgrave Royal Emperor, has had outstanding success in the show ring and has just been awarded a basic stallion licence.

“The breed was really struggling in the 1950s, after the war,” says Andy, who explains that at the time only four Cleveland Bay stallions were left standing. “Because they make such brilliant carriage horses, yet can be ridden as well, they were the gold standard war horse, but the breed paid the price as so many never returned from the war.

“The final nail in the coffin for the breed was the same as that which threatened the Suffolk horse — the invention of the tractor and the mechanisation of agriculture.”

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The Queen was attributed with helping save the Cleveland Bay by buying Mulgrave Supreme, a stallion born in 1961 and a direct ancestor of Stainmore Scotch Rose.

“Numbers started to pick up again in the 1970s, but a real issue was inbreeding; in 2004 the effective population size was the genetic equivalent of just 20 horses,” explains Andy. “This has been increased year on year and is now 97.”

The outstanding mare award was presented by H&H’s sport horse breeding editor Polly Bryan and collected on Barbara’s behalf by Stallion AI’s Tullis Matson.

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Cleveland Bays are the second most at-risk animal in the UK.

The figures were revealed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) in its 2018 “danger list”, which was released on 17 April.

There are 64 breeding females left in the UK, meaning it is the most endangered native equine breed.

Suffolk horses are also in the top five on the danger list, with 80 breeding females — a slight increase on the 75 registered in 2017.

“We have a saying with rare breeds ‘use to save it’’, but with the Cleveland Bay we are using them a lot, to put style, power and bone into the general horse population,” explained RBST field officer Richard Broad.

“However we are not breeding enough pure-bred animals, so future generations are not guaranteed they will be able to. In order to preserve the breed, we need a massive increase in pure breeding of Cleveland Bays before they are lost.”

Extensive work is being done to protect the UK’s native equine breeds.

The Cleveland Bay Horse Society promotes a breed advisory scheme (Sparks), created and developed by Dr Andy Dell, supporting the genetic health of the global Cleveland Bay population.

The RBST launched its national gene bank project in October, keeping genetics from rare breeds to safeguard them from extinction.

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“These rare breed animals are going to end up as dead as a dodo unless their numbers increase dramatically,” said RBST chief executive Tom Beeston.

“With the publication of the ‘danger watchlist’, we are calling on government bodies and consumers to support our work.

“We need more than £10m in the next decade to pay for our gene bank, where genetic material is stored so that we can recreate a breed.

“These animals are beautiful to look at, uniquely British and deserve to be protected for future generations.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

This week’s magazine (26 April), features a full Badminton preview, including a cross-country course walk with Mary King and full form guide for every horse and rider.

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A rare Cleveland bay stallion is “living like a prince” since being sold to Pakistan.

North Yorkshire breeder Steve Pullan, of Aredis Sport Horses, has sold his homebred Arena Big Ben to the nation’s government.

“I was driving up the motorway when I received a call completely out of the blue,” said Steve.

“It was someone saying the Pakistani government was interested in buying Arena Big Ben, who they had seen online.”

In Pakistan, Cleveland bays are the only breed of horse used to pull state carriages, and they are also used for government work.

“Their interest was sparked due to the fact the Cleveland bay breed in Pakistan had lost substance and they needed to increase their numbers,” said Steve.

“The people came over to look at him and liked what they saw so he was shipped out to Pakistan and is now living like a prince — in a beautiful stable with walk-in/walk-out access to a paddock that has a sun shade in!”

Steve used Arena Big Ben to breed part-bred Cleveland bays as both sports horses and show horses.

He has had great success this season with his yearling colt Aredis Little Ben (Arena Big Ben x Terimon) who achieved a higher first futurity premium score of 8.75.

Little Ben also recently took a top three finish in the in-hand championship at the young horse eventing championships at Osberton.

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The colt is out of Steve’s 2006 Horse of the Year Show Cuddy title winner, Little Alice.

Steve described the Cleveland bay as a “hardy breed with a very good temperament”.

“They should be used more as general riding horses as although they are small they are very strong,” he said.

“They are also fantastic as part-breds to make sport horses. I think there were only about 20 pure bred Cleveland bays born last year.”

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The Queen has bought two rare pure-bred Cleveland bay mares from a Yorkshire breeder for the carriage breeding programme at the Royal Paddocks in Hampton Court.

Heather and Philip Ketley have bred Cleveland bays on their North Yorkshire farm for over 20 years.

Nine-year-old mare Galli Howe Graceful Girl (Gracie) was bought by Mrs Ketley as a yearling. The other mare, Kirkmoor Iris Flower, is a seven-year-old home-bred.

“It is a tremendous honour to have our horses going to the Royal Paddocks,” said Mrs Ketley.

The family has been asked to put both mares in foal to their home-bred Cleveland Bay stallions Kirkmoor Elderberry Flower (Berry) and Kirkmoor Wolfsbane Flower (Ted)

Berry is the current holder of the King George V cup for the best pure-bred quality assured stallion of the breed in the UK.

At last week’s Great Yorkshire show (12-14 July), Gracie (pictured) took first prize for a brood mare aged four and over and won the reserve champion award.

At the show the Ketleys and the rest of the Kirkmoor team were were given tokens of appreciation from the Royal Paddocks by the president of the Cleveland Bay Society, Steve Pullan (pictured, below).

“It’s a day I will never forget,” said Mr Ketley, whose wife was president of the society last year.

The mares are now being put into foal under veterinary supervision from Alison Walters at the Hambleton Equine Clinic in Great Ayton.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Mrs Ketley, of the chance to see two of her mares go to the Royal Paddocks.

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The Cleveland bay has been supported by the Royal family for use in the Royal Mews for generations. Her Majesty has been patron of the society since 1974.

The breed is on category one on the Rare Breeds Survial Trust critical list and is considered rarer than the giant panda.

There are 1,000 Cleveland Bays worldwide, 80% of which are in the UK. Only about 20 foals have been born annually in Britain in the last two years.

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An orphaned foal has been given a new chance in life thanks to a drug that allowed his great grandmother to produce milk.

The rare Cleveland bay colt, Craigiewood Benbecula, was born on 27 May in Aberdeenshire.

Sadly his dam, Tregoyd Virginia, died two days later after suffering colonic torsion.

“It was incredibly sad — there wasn’t a lot we could do,” breeder Muick Wood told H&H.

Mr Wood contacted the National Foaling Bank for help, but there were no foster mares in the area.

Johanna Vardon, founder of the organisation, mentioned that a drug, Domperidone, had been successful in the past at bringing mares into milk.

“I had never heard of it,” said Mr Wood. “It only works if the mare has done a full lactation themselves naturally and the foal’s great grandmother, Miss Givings, had had two foals of her own in the past, her last was five years ago, so we thought we would try it with her.

“She had shown a great interest in him and was going to be a nanny if all else failed.”

Mr Wood’s vet, Mairi Sinclair, of Ardeen House Equine Vets managed to source the drug, which is used in humans to combat sickness.

The mare was fed tablets containing the medication for 10 days, morning and night.

“Sure enough on day 10 she bagged up and got milk again. It’s been an absolute godsend.

“The most important thing is that he’s getting a natural start to life with other horses.

“The mare is absolutely fine and has become quite proud of him. If you didn’t know you would just think they were dam and colt.”

Mr Wood has bred Cleveland bays since 2006 and the colt is by his own stallion Craigiewood Tobermory.

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“I got involved in the breed having competed on part breds as a child and ended up getting my own pure bred,” he said.

“I wanted to give something back by breeding a few.”

Ms Sinclair was pleased to have been able to help support the Cleveland bay.

“It’s great news for the breed which is so short on numbers,” she told H&H.

“It’s very sad to lose the mother but she lives on through the foal.

“Credit to Muick and all the people that have helped him.”

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Cleveland Bay supporters are warning that, despite a “slight improvement” in numbers reported by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), the breed is still under threat.

Last month the RBST released its watchlist report, in which Dales ponies and Dartmoors had dropped into more serious categories due to falling numbers of breeding females, which is what the list is based upon.

“Many of the breeds are still decreasing in population, although some, like the Cleveland Bay and Suffolk have seen slight improvements in numbers compared to 2014 population estimates,” said Tim Beeston from the RBST.

The RBST said it used 2011–2013 registrations for the 2015 list, as not all breeds had complete data for 2014.

However, Cleveland Bay breeder Zoe Woods told H&H she believes that this is a “rosy” outlook on the situation.

“The statement is very misleading as the plight of the Cleveland Bay is dire,” she said.

“It gives the impression that while species in crisis continue to struggle, the Cleveland Bay is one of the exceptions.”

Lorraine Chapman of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society (CBHS) confirmed that only six pure-bred fillies were born and registered in the UK last year.

Overall in 2014 there were 25 pure foal registrations, down from 35 in 2013.

“We have been advised that around 45 fillies a year need to be born for the breed to be secure,” Ms Chapman said.

“We have an average of 32 registrations per year worldwide, including the colts. We know that less than half of each year’s crop of filly foals will go on to breed their own replacement, so these low numbers are very worrying.”

She added that Cleveland Bays are also struggling because a number of long-standing breeders have now retired, similar to the problem cited by the Dales Pony Society in H&H’s previous news story.

“The value of the Cleveland Bay as a ‘really useful horse’ seems to have been lost in our fast-moving world,” added Ms Woods. “It is the ideal horse for the recreational rider. How do we get this message across?”

Ms Chapman added: “We need to reiterate to mare owners is that there is genuine interest in the breed now.

“We need to let people know how critical this breed is and encourage them to give Cleveland Bays a chance.”

Ref: Horse & Hound; 5 March 2015

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As the financial climate fails to pick up and the threat of overbreeding is ever present, some of our native breeds are in danger of becoming extinct. This month, Dales and Dartmoor ponies have been recategorised as “critical” and “endangered” respectively on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) watchlist.

As numbers of breeding females fall the Dales pony has moved from “endangered” to “critical” — meaning there are now fewer than 300 breeding mares. The Dartmoor moves from “vulnerable” to “endangered” with between 300-500 breeding mares.

“Described as a ‘species in crisis’ in the 2014 watchlist report, native equines continue to struggle in 2015,” said Tom Beeston of the RBST.

The risk is calculated by a significant fall in registration numbers and the estimated population trend.

“Last year’s watchlist was described as a wake-up call — this year’s delivers the message that we have more work to do, not less,” added Mr Beeston.

However, breed enthusiasts say the fall in numbers is not due to dwindling popularity, but because of responsible breeding.

The RBST agrees that due to the financial climate there is little or no market for youngstock, which has had a knock-on effect, reducing the number of pedigree registered foals.

“This has been necessary to prevent overbreeding unwanted foals, but it puts some breeds at particular risk,” said Mr Beeston.

Critical condition for Dales

Jo Asby of the Dales Pony Society told H&H the recent recategorising of the breed was “not unexpected”.

“2014 saw only 87 foals registered in the UK, but it is a reflection of the unique attributes of the Dales pony that traditional breeders do not breed foals for which there is no market,” she said. “The mass over-production of cheap black and white cobs has flooded the market for the up-to-weight family all-rounder, and the depressed financial climate means good working homes are hard to come by.”

Dales breeder Charlie Parker told H&H he had “felt a responsibility to cut back” until the market picked up.

“The summer of 2014 saw a slight rise in trade and so I have had some mares covered for this year,” he said. “I don’t feel that their popularity has fallen, but as with many of our British natives they are undervalued; we all need to sing their praises.”

Delia Weedon of Akehurst Dales Stud bought her first ponies in 1973. Since then she has bred 59 fillies and 55 colts. She doesn’t believe their popularity is decreasing either, just that the market is “very slow”.

“I have several youngsters still unsold, so for the first time since 1976 I shall not be having any foals in 2015, and my 15-year-old broodmare is about to start a new adventure, being ridden for the first time,” she said.

“It will be hard for the good breeders to keep going when people expect to buy a good, fully registered pony for less than it has cost to produce.”

Dartmoors now ‘endangered’

Although not as severe a situation as the Dales, the Dartmoor — a stalwart of the British showing circuit — is also on the decline.

But Viv Brown from the Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) told H&H the society is “satisfied that the breed will continue to flourish” despite the fall in category.

“There is still a strong demand for ponies, who excel at the top level in all disciplines, and whose success is far greater in comparison with other breeds with much higher numbers of foals being born every year,” she said.

“The RBST’s figures do not include colts, supplementary registered foals or foals born abroad,” added Mrs Brown.

“Recently more colts have been born or registered than fillies, which does ensure a supply of ridden and driven ponies. Sadly, we cannot predict whether a breeder is going to have fillies only.”

Breeder Rod Newbolt-Young told H&H that DPS members have recognised the depressed economic situation by carrying out a responsible breeding programme. This is reflected in the numbers.

“When the situation changes the mares will be put back in foal to meet the demand,” he said.“Within the past few weeks we have seen signs this is beginning to happen, which is encouraging.”

Mr Newbolt-Young added that negative publicity surrounding the Dartmoor hill pony — an entirely separate breed — last year, when one organisation suggested preserving its future by eating them, was not helpful to the purebred breed.

“The Dartmoor pony is not for eating. In the valued, true-type Dartmoor pony almost all the breeding is controlled and pre-planned,” he said.

Remaining steady

In better news, Clydesdales, Cleveland Bays and Shires have seen increased registrations compared to the previous year.

The Clydesdale remains in the “vulnerable” category, but enthusiasts are positive about the breed’s future.

“The numbers remain stable and we’ve had two reasonable years [2013 and 2014],” Marguerite Osborne from the Clydesdale Horse Society told H&H.

“It’s not a huge increase but it’s steady and they’re doing quite well, so it’s positive.”

Tim Ancrum from Adventure Clydesdale said he has noticed a “steady increase in interest” in the breed in the 13 years that he has been involved with heavy horses.

He believes the key is in the “amazing adaptability” of the breed.

The centre runs rides on the “rugged terrain of Dartmoor” and recently lent horses to take to the turf at Exeter racecourse (pictured above).

“I have seen the value of young heavies rise substantially over the years, and if the value increases the incentive to breed them rises, thereby helping the breeds to claw back from the brink,” he said.

Preserving for the future

The RBST told H&H it “remains very concerned” by the population trends and that much work is still required to help conserve these breeds.

Mr Beeston added that the RBST gene bank is an “essential insurance policy” for the future.

“The economic climate does not suggest that the lack of market is likely to be reversed any time soon. Conservation measures, like semen collections and gene banking, must be employed, so that if stallions are not able to be bred from now, their genes are at least banked for future use,” he said. “That, in turn, means that we have to look at ways to substantially ramp up our fundraising efforts to raise the essential revenue that will enable us to continue our work.”

➤ The RBST National Gene Bank is part of a scheme that was launched in 2002. Owners of rare-breed stallions are asked to help boost Britain’s threatened natives by putting their animals forward for semen collection. It can cost up to £5,000 to carry out a collection from a stallion, so the RBST is also appealing for donations. For information visit: www.rbst.org.uk

Ref: Horse & Hound; 22 January 2015

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This stunning colt foal has delighted fans of the Cleveland Bay horse by winning a host of classes this summer.

Tranmire Sir George — named after the Royal baby — is seen here relaxing after winning the foal class, hunter foal class, hunter championship and reserve Cleveland Bay championship at Egton Show, N Yorks (21 August).

Sir George, who is owned by Tom Wren, has also won foal classes at Ryedale, Hinderwell and Danby.

He is by the stallion Southbrook Warlord and is seen here with his dam, Tranmire Diamond Princess.

Lynda Wilson, who helped Mr Wren show George at Egton, said: “Lots of children had their photo taken cuddling the foal while he was lying down.

“Sir George has the most amazing temperament and was a star attraction at the show.”

The Cleveland Bay is a very old British breed that can be traced back to the 17^th century. They are the only warmblood native to England and were originally used as coaching horses, but the breed went into steep decline after the Second World War.

Today they are classed as “critically endangered” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust — meaning there are fewer than 300 breeding mares in the country.

Supporters of the breed say the Cleveland Bay is the basis for the ideal hunter, showjumper and eventer.

Fans include The Queen, who stepped in when the breed was close to extinction in the 1960s and bought the colt foal, Mulgrave Supreme. Her Majesty made him available at public stud, helping to save the breed.

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Members of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society have seen off attempts to introduce thoroughbred blood to the stud book. But those in favour say they now fear for the breed’s survival.

At the society’s AGM on 20 October, members voted 60:40% against the proposal.

“It was completely insane,” said the society’s president, Henry Edmunds.

“Some individuals have tried to undermine the breed by trying to make it more commercial.”

Cleveland Bays are classed as “critical” on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist.

Mr Edmunds said the horse must be preserved.

But fellow breeder Colin Green — who advocates introducing TB blood — told H&H he feared that numbers would decline further.

“The breed is obviously not popular — there aren’t enough people breeding because it’s difficult to sell them,” he said.

Mr Green stressed that “a not inconsiderable minority” had voted for change.

There is, however, a third way, advocated by breeders including Zoe Woods, based in the Loire Valley, France. She would like the addition of a part-bred stud book.

“We don’t want to interfere with the pure-bred Cleveland Bay, but we know that, when crossed with a hot-blooded horse, it produces the best type of sport horse,” she added.

Mrs Woods cited the 1980 Burghley Horse Trials winner, John O’Gaunt, who was by The Queen’s Cleveland Bay stallion Mulgrave Supreme, as a prime example.

There are also Cleveland Bays in the selle Français, Oldenburg and Holsteiner stud books, she added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 November 2012)

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